UPDATE UNIT THREE TEST

Due to time and the nature of the standard - I am proposing that we move RI 8.3 to the next unit and remove it from this unit.  The use of analogies and comparisons may fit very well within the argumentation standard. I am especially thinking of the arguments that MLK Jr. makes in "I Have a Dream" - he has so many analogies within that one text. Actually, most arguments made with rich language may include the use of analogies and comparisons.

Also - I just don't think I can teach that standard and RI 8.9 this week and be ready for a test by next Tuesday. This is, of course, on top of getting the writing accomplished. UGH!


So Tiffany posted some questions to Dropbox and I am going to post mine this evening. Please upload anything you have! What we MUST do is write our answers to the ERQ and SAQ's. Do this independently and bring to the PLC Thursday - please have this finished. We need to hash this out together before we asses the students. Also, please have completed the MC questions to make sure there are no misunderstandings/confusions that could pose a problem for our kids. I really want to get together after the test is given and score together - at least one class. We can trade and grade or grade our own. This will help us each see issues, common errors, etc. We can do this next Wednesday during our PLC's.

Please give me feedback on dropping RI 8.3 or if you have any questions (email or comment below)!

Unit 3 Common Assessment and Test Writing

For unit 3 we need to assess the reading standards RI 8.2, RI 8.3, RI 8.9. Plus we need to stay on L.8.4 and L.8.5. 

We are using the Benedict Arnold Passages and the passage on government in the Common Core Clinic book specifically for RI 8.3. Here is a link on teaching RI 8.9. In the last paragraph it includes links to the two Benedict Arnold passages we are using on the text. I have them electronically & hard copy at school. 


WRITING QUALITY QUESTIONS: I think assessment writing is tough stuff, as we try to make the tests authentic to KPREP. I found this link to a sample test WITH explanations of questions. Scroll through and look at how the questions are written and the justifications - a great guide to help you as you write! RI 8.2 is prominently featured in the constructed response. Check it out! 

Advanced Synthesis Practice and Assessment Pieces for On-Demand Practice

I found two articles in a magazine we have laying around the house that directly relates to the same topics/themes of Outliers (it is titled Scientific American Mind--it is scholarly).  I was reading the On-Demand practice prompt for argument, and I think one article can work as practice, and the other can work as the test.  I think we can practice teaching them how to synthesize information from both the book and the article.  The On-Demand test will only provide them one relatively easy passage.  We will be bumping up the difficulty level beyond the test which will hopefully enable better results on the real On-Demand test.  The articles differ in the exact argument they are presenting, but a lot of the information is similar to the book.  I think it would be a good exercise to teach them how to weed through both the article and book to provide a well informed argument on a position.  I think our argument we ask them to write will have to deal with what are the factors that create extreme success; i.e. opportunity/culture/socio-economic position vs. innate ability, or a mix of both.  For On-Demand it tells them what side to take, so I think we should do that also.  This choice in argument would not focus on the use of anecdote, so we would just need to completely change the prompt.  I will show you the articles, and we will discuss it.  I will get my husband to scan the, so I can email them to you this weekend. 

P.S.  I know you already know this stuff about On-Demand, so I am spitting out what I know, so you can correct any of my misconceptions.